Eclectic Eagan boutique closes after 20 years
by Jessica Harper
Thisweek Newspapers
Eagan gift shop All the Best will close Jan. 31. Owner Mary Jo Koski cited the economy as a primary reason for the closure. - Photo submitted
Eagan gift shop All the Best will close its doors for the last time Jan. 31 after two decades.
“We decided to close for a number of factors,” said owner Mary Jo Koski. “The economy was a big one.”
The Eagan resident initially opened the store on the northeast corner of Diffley and Pilot Knob roads as a gift-ordering business for corporate clients. The name, All the Best, was inspired by a common phrase used when sending gifts.
With a background in retail merchandising, Koski felt ready to be her own boss.
After five years, Koski decided to branch out into retail by offering consumers an assortment of decorative items, jewelry and gifts for all occasions.
The quaint boutique began to thrive over the next 15 years as it built a loyal following.
It’s these customers that Koski said she will miss the most. Customers continued to fill the small shop day after day as it held a closing sale, which spans until the end of the month.
Koski took pride in creating a welcoming environment for her customers.
Customers fill the quaint boutique day after day as All the Best holds its going out of business sale, which runs until the end of the month. Owner Mary Jo Koski prides herself on having built a loyal following over the past 15 years. - Photo by Jessica Harper
Despite the sad news, Koski and her six employees greeted their customers with a friendly smile. It’s this service that Koski believes enabled her small retail store to survive for so long despite the down economy and competition from large retail stores.
But in the last few years, sales began to decline as purchasing habits changed and the recession continued.
The boutique lost several corporate customers as Delta and Lockheed Martin prepared to move.
Then the store was hit by the loss of several neighbors, leaving portions of the strip mall empty.
“There wasn’t anyone in Lady Katherine’s spot for three years,” Koski said. “That really hurt us.”
Though her business was hurting, Koski made it a priority to give back to the community by donating gift baskets to school and medical fundraisers.
One such benefit came after an unfortunate incident when a regular customer’s husband was murdered. Saddened by the death, Koski donated to the benefit held for her customer and her children.
Koski also reached out to several employees in need, including an employee who was battling breast cancer.
Though All the Best is drawing to an end, Koski said she will not give up her dream of owning her own business. She plans to work for a wholesale jewelry company for a time, but hopes to open another retail store in the future.
“I see myself surrounded in this business, but whether it’s an everyday store, I don’t know,” Koski said.
Jessica Harper is at jessica.harper@ecm-inc.com.
